2021 Best Powder Rooms

Traditional, intentionally “over-the-top” maximalism was the name of the game when designing this luxe powder room, which was conceived as a nostalgic homage to the client’s idyllic West Palm Beach childhood. According to designer Libby Palmieri, it was a challenge maintaining a sense of balance between the exaggerated mural-style wallpaper and the rest of the bathroom, but creating a reverse negative with the pattern allowed the space to maintain its light, bright atmosphere along with the punch of color. 

A custom green vanity by M and M Custom Woodwork includes gold metal trim and hardware, as well as a gold-toned Rincon Bay wall-mount faucet from California Faucets and Inia Wading Pool glass sink in a bronze hue from Kohler. The vanity is completed by a Caesarstone countertop in white quartz. A TOTO USA Aquia toilet sits next to the vanity.

White and dill-colored basketweave tile from Sonoma Tile create dimension and act as a buffer to younger childrens’ hand prints to protect the walls. The Fliana sconce from Circa Lighting and White Oak with Whitewash finish flooring complete the overall Floridian flair.

Photo: Kyle Wodarczyk

This new-construction home’s powder room needed to pack a big punch in a small space. In order to keep the space from feeling cramped, designer Leah Muller accentuated the height of the ceiling by putting the Varaluz Urchin Mini hanging pendant over the vanity and adding an accent wall with Stellar Campton textured tile from Sonoma Tile, though the wall tile was kept to a minimum to reduce busyness. An Arteriors Ollie Mirror adorns the tile wall over the vanity.

The clean, crisp design of the room was accented by the eye-catching floating Laufen vanity, finished in Noce Canaletto wood veneer paired with a visually fascinating asymmetrical Laufen washbasin with integrated top in white. Kohler’s Purist wall-mount faucet in polished chrome sits above the sink.

Photo: Jessica Glynn, Jessica Glynn Photography

Although Lori Carroll’s clients loved their new-to-them Tucson, AZ home, the powder room was uninspiring. The homeowners were looking to infuse the space with eye-catching style and color.

Carroll and co-designer Kat Saucedo began by removing a half-wall between the vanity and toilet to open up the layout. The additional square footage went to a hand-crafted cantilevered cottonwood vanity that acts as the focal point. Natural,
micro-engraved limestone flooring, textured neutral linen fiber wall covering and two granite wall slabs bring a sense of vibrance and cohesion to the small room. 

Strategic lighting beneath the vanity creates an illusion of spaciousness, while oversized, antiqued brass sconces add to the mood-changing aesthetic from day to night.

Photo: Jon Mancuso